Egypt Pledges Support for Saudi Arabia as Houthi Fighting Escalates

Egypt’s National Defense Council agreed Sunday to support Saudi Arabia as fighting between the kingdom and Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels intensified, widening a confrontation that has disrupted air travel, threatened oil infrastructure, and killed civilians.

Chaired by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, the council approved “all possible forms of support” to help Saudi Arabia defend its security, according to an Egyptian presidential statement. The announcement did not specify whether Cairo would send troops, aircraft, naval forces, or other military equipment.

The decision followed el-Sissi’s request Saturday for parliamentary authorization to deploy troops and military equipment abroad. It also came a month after a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia has sought military assistance from allies as Houthi drone and missile attacks target airports and energy facilities across the kingdom. Missiles capable of changing direction during flight have complicated interception efforts.

At least 19 people have been killed in the attacks on Saudi Arabia, while thousands of flights have been affected. The escalation has also unsettled global markets as fighting in Yemen becomes another front in the wider Iran war.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met Sunday with the United Arab Emirates president to discuss strengthening cooperation, according to the Emirati state news agency WAM.

The talks followed tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over their support for rival factions within the Yemeni coalition opposing the Houthis. Their discussions suggest that the latest escalation has renewed pressure for coordination despite those differences.

Egypt also maintained diplomatic contact with Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that he spoke by telephone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty about regional developments. Neither side’s account, as provided, detailed any agreement.

Meanwhile, civilians continued to bear the consequences of renewed fighting in Yemen.

The Houthi-run Health Ministry said an airstrike on a house in Sahar district, in the northern province of Saada, killed nine people Sunday, including five children and two women.

Ministry spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi said another 19 people were wounded, among them 11 children. Some were in critical condition.

He blamed Saudi Arabia, which did not immediately comment. The Houthi-run al-Masirah television channel showed people digging through rubble by hand and pulling two young people from the debris.

Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said Saudi-led forces had carried out 110 missile strikes or airstrikes against civilian sites in Sanaa and other cities. The Associated Press said it could not independently verify that claim.

Yemen’s interim capital, Aden, has also suffered attacks on its airport and a palace used by the internationally recognized government during the past week.

Across the border, a Saudi helicopter gunship crashed near Najran, killing both crew members. A Saudi military spokesperson attributed the crash to a technical malfunction, while the Houthis claimed they had shot it down.

Saudi Civil Defense authorities later reported that a Houthi projectile struck a residential area in Najran province, wounding six people, adding to the toll as Saudi Arabia sought allied assistance and Egypt left its promised contribution unspecified.